In a significant legal development, a proposed class action has been filed against Grammarly in New York federal court. This legal move, reported on March 11, 2026, by an investigative journalist, claims that Grammarly’s “Expert Review” feature misappropriates the identities and likenesses of notable writers and public figures without consent. It argues that these individuals are effectively “involuntarily conscripted” into acting as unpaid experts for the company’s AI-powered writing tool. For more details, visit Law360.
The lawsuit raises critical questions about the data practices of AI technologies, specifically concerning consent and intellectual property rights. Grammarly’s “Expert Review” was introduced as a tool to enhance writing by leveraging insights from renowned experts. However, the lawsuit suggests that these insights have been sourced in a manner that possibly violates publicity rights.
This legal action reflects a broader context, where AI technologies are increasingly scrutinized for ethical and legal issues related to data usage. According to Reuters, there’s a rising concern about how AI companies handle user data, especially data that could be considered personal or confidential.
Grammarly, well-known for its grammar and writing enhancements, now faces a potential reputational challenge as it responds to these allegations. The case will likely explore the intersection of AI innovation and the rights of individuals whose intellectual efforts are leveraged by technology without direct consent.
This lawsuit is set against an evolving legal landscape where AI tools are increasingly influential in fields from copywriting to data analysis. The technology community will watch closely as this case unfolds, potentially setting precedents for future AI-related litigation. Insights from this case could inform policymakers and legal practitioners on managing AI’s integration into intellectual property frameworks effectively.